Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Apr 30, 2020 19:11:28 GMT
[Pier 16 -> Financial District]
Judy noticed Sven's wrinkled nose, so she gently motioned them in the opposite direction. "Let's go somewhere less pungent," she said. "Max and I have changed enough diapers not to have a sense of smell anymore, but that's us." She led them back into the city, towards the Stock Exchange, and then Max addressed the matter of beaches. "I worked at a few resorts when I was young, including on Risa," he shared. "Anywhere you go, whether it's Risa or Hawaii, there are more commercialized, touristy spots, and more natural, pristine areas. There was a place that I took Judy to when we were dating, on Alpha Centauri of all places, that I think is the most beautiful stretch of coastline in the Federation." "It wasn't exactly the beach that you were looking at most of the time," Judy reminded Max, making Anna flush a little red. The frequent PDA from her parents was something she was more or less used to, but still a little embarrassed by when it was in a truly public setting.
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Sven Aune
Security & Tactical
[TI23]
Posts: 378 Likes: 23
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Position: Chief of Security. Combat Engineer
Species: Human
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Post by Sven Aune on May 1, 2020 16:23:04 GMT
| Financial District || lt. Sven Aune |
Sven didn't really experience public displays of affection from his parents. More like flared tempers, fighting and abuse. His mother left them. And his father was abusive. After Sven left, his father was faced with the fact that he was going to die of pancratic cancer and began to rebuild a relationship. At first Sven was wary, but learned that his father meant it and they forged an amazing relationship just before he died.
"So, this is Wall Street?" he asked looking about. The buildings rose high above him. Crowds of people were bustling back and forth. Sven deliberately changed the subject to save Anna some embarrassment.
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on May 1, 2020 21:02:31 GMT
[Financial District]
"That's right," Judy answered. "Just look at them, all these finance people with their dark suits and boring ties. They're like us, but without phasers. Their de facto uniforms are as monotonous as ours, and neither group is what it thinks it is."
"How so?" Anna asked innocently.
"Well, the finance sector thinks they make the world go round, when in reality their role isn't quite as fundamental anymore, what with all the automation, whereas we of the fleet are currently in a bit of an identity crisis. We're deciding if we're explorers, or soldiers, you know?"
Max squeezed Judy's hand. They've had many a late-night discussion about this topic, and whether Judy could really stay in Starfleet if it was, now, an army.
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Sven Aune
Security & Tactical
[TI23]
Posts: 378 Likes: 23
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Position: Chief of Security. Combat Engineer
Species: Human
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Post by Sven Aune on Jun 22, 2020 18:00:47 GMT
| Financial district || lt. Sven Aune |
Sven continued to look about him. Taking in the busy street. The suits walking about all on important business with important people. Judy had said something interesting and the bodybuilder reflected upon that.
"Now that you mention it, I didn't join Star Fleet to be an explorer. I joined to defend our home." it was an odd notion. He didn't really have a desire to explore strange new worlds, to discover new life and seek out new civilizations. His motivation was more basic. More primal. That, and get away from his abusive father. Perhaps it was surviving that abuse that Sven choose to be a soldier, and ultimately end up in security despite his aptitude for engineering.
"Either way, each world needs one another. I don't think one is better than the other. I just need to know how to survive this one." he gestured to the street about him, to the market on the whole.
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Jun 22, 2020 19:40:12 GMT
[Financial District]
Judy cast a quick look towards the old Stock Exchange building itself.
"Oy vey," she muttered. "I'm too old for that line. I guess that's what we get for coming out here in the middle of tourist season."
She looked directly to Sven. "You can book a tour to see the floor of the stock exchange in person, if you're interested. Unfortunately, this is peak tourist season, so we don't really get to just show up and walk in."
She led the group onwards, along the New York City streets.
"Anyway, I'm uneasy with the more military nature of Starfleet nowadays. I fully appreciate the need to defend ourselves, because the Quadrant is less stable and idyllic than we thought when I was your age, but... well, historically speaking, societies that become more militarized also become more militaristic. The rightful veneration of soldierly sacrifice tends to devolve into a veneration of war and violence," she explained her earlier point about Starfleet. "It scares me to think that in 50 years, when Anna starts having grandchildren, the Federation could go back to worshipping warfare, like old Earth societies."
Max squeezed Judy's hand once again.
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Sven Aune
Security & Tactical
[TI23]
Posts: 378 Likes: 23
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Position: Chief of Security. Combat Engineer
Species: Human
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Post by Sven Aune on Jun 22, 2020 19:52:16 GMT
| Financial district || lt. Sven Aune |
The large man nodded. Fact was, he didn't like war as much as anyone else. And he had some trauma from his time in the Dominion war. And Judy's prediction didn't help.
"I hope not." he glanced at the stock exchange, "You mean in there? I don't really have a desire to see the actual floor. I've seen the pits on in pictures. No, I came here to he shown around by a real New Yorker. A simple country boy like me, would be lost. And you can help me appreciate the culture."
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Jun 23, 2020 4:16:06 GMT
[Financial District -> New York City Subway]
"In hindsight, we probably should've brought the car," Judy kvetched as she realized that they'd be covering more distance than she'd thought before.
"Easy for you to say; you wouldn't be driving," Max teased.
Judy began to lead towards a subway station.
"I'm not allowed to drive in the city. I get too worked up, and then I say words I'm not supposed to around certain sensitive ears," she explained, gesturing with her head towards Anna.
"Mom has a potty mouth," Anna capitalized on that point, to annoy her mother.
"She's also liable to anger herself into a heart attack," Max added.
Judy, her cheeks flushing red, rolled her eyes as she began to descend into the age-old transit system.
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Sven Aune
Security & Tactical
[TI23]
Posts: 378 Likes: 23
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Position: Chief of Security. Combat Engineer
Species: Human
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Post by Sven Aune on Jul 12, 2020 15:59:33 GMT
|Subway || Lt. Sven Aune |
"Some of the old holo-novels I've read have some of the characters worked up over driving. Wouldn't want you to have to spend this time in a hospital."
The subway was, or course updated to modern times, but it also retained elements of they bygone eras.
"Where to?"
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Jul 12, 2020 16:56:25 GMT
[New York City Subway]
"I figure we'll make our way up Manhattan, through some of the less buzzy spots," Judy explained her plan. "Right now, this will take us to Chinatown, one of Manhattan's old ethnic enclaves."
"Just remember that we only have a half-day," Max pointed out to Judy.
"That's true," she acknowledged. "I'd need at least three days, and advance reservations, for a full tour, but we'll take what we have and make it count."
They stepped onto a subway train, relatively empty at this time of day, and sat down. With Judy's bifocals, Max's silver hair, and the wrinkles they both had, they could often get seats vacated for them even on a full train, although they usually didn't do so.
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Sven Aune
Security & Tactical
[TI23]
Posts: 378 Likes: 23
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Position: Chief of Security. Combat Engineer
Species: Human
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Post by Sven Aune on Jul 12, 2020 17:12:32 GMT
|Subway || lt. Sven Aune |
He would stand. It wasn’t a big deal to him. And besides the seats were so close together that when he did sit, and due to his sheer size, he was often rubbing shoulders with complete strangers. Not a pass time he enjoyed.
"China Town? I figured they would have renamed it given all the political correctness. I've heard they have good tea shops."
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Jul 13, 2020 2:42:46 GMT
[New York City Subway]
"This is lousy weather for tea. Iced tea is just not the same," Max lamented. "There are some nice confectionery shops, and some jewelers."
"Are you planning to buy the wifey some new earrings?" Judy asked her husband playfully.
"Nothing but the best for my Mrs. Williams," Max answered.
If not for the presence of Sven and Anna, the older couple could very well have given in to their urges. For now, they had to be content with just a brief smooch, and the physical proximity on the hard subway seats.
"In any case, the main thing is to just soak in the city. Just so long as we don't block the sidewalk like a bunch of tourists," Judy said to the group. "Everything else is a bonus."
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Sven Aune
Security & Tactical
[TI23]
Posts: 378 Likes: 23
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Position: Chief of Security. Combat Engineer
Species: Human
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Post by Sven Aune on Jul 14, 2020 3:19:08 GMT
|Subway || Sven Aune|
Sven admitted the elderly couples resolve to keep romance alive. It was a Hallmark to a healthy and functional marriage. And they weren't to picky about PDA. Sven could tell that it embarrassed Anna. Sure was at that age.
"I think I'll block the sidewalk just standing in the middle of it." He joked playing on his sheer size.
"I don't think I told you. I've got a small sponsorship. I'm pretty excited about it. I'm planning on taking all proceeds of it and putting it back into investments." He said as the train trundled onward.
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Jul 14, 2020 3:57:19 GMT
[Subway -> Chinatown]
"For the lifting, I take it?" Judy asked. She couldn't think of any other variety of sponsorship that would make sense. "That's very neat, for sure. Nice source of extra income doing what you love."
"Speaking of doing what you love, we don't have to wait until you're 80," Max joked to Judy as the train stopped and they stood up, each of the older couple helping the other.
"Judy and I made a deal that when she turns 80, at the latest, she'll retire and we'll run a restaurant together," he explained the joke.
Anna just rolled her eyes. She saw the restaurant idea as more fantasy than reality, a sexagenarian equivalent to a child's "when I grow up" statement.
They all left the train and headed up the escalator.
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Sven Aune
Security & Tactical
[TI23]
Posts: 378 Likes: 23
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Position: Chief of Security. Combat Engineer
Species: Human
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Post by Sven Aune on Jul 14, 2020 4:06:46 GMT
|Subway exit || Sven Aune |
"Really?" That sounded like a retirement dream, and a good one. But Sven knew Judy well enough to know that even at 80 she'd probably not retire, and continue to work as a consultant for Star Fleet. She was an accomplished engineer. "I didn't see her retiring until well into her 90's"
He caught Anna's look. It made him realize that dreaming was ageless as it was timeless. "I think you two would run an amazing place. What would you call it?" He asked as he stepped upon the escalator with a bit of a wobble.
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Jul 14, 2020 4:49:27 GMT
[Chinatown]
"We haven't figured out... any of the details. 80 isn't exactly right around the corner," Judy replied. "Think about it this way, when I turn 80, Mini-Me will be a little older than you are now. It's a long way out."
Now 62 years of age, Judy was already old, but she still had a lot older to get.
"Now, here we are, Chinatown," she announced as they emerged back into the city.
"Ooh, there's a bakery over there," Anna pointed out, sighting a little place of business just down the street.
"Chinese steamed buns are a guilty pleasure," Judy said. "One of many, many guilty pleasures."
"We can grab a few as a dessert, and wash them down with tea, perhaps," Max suggested, wrapping his arm around Judy but looking to their guest.
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